Valve to launch Steam Machine on June 29 with starting price of $1,049
Valve has announced the pricing and release date for its new living room-focused computer. The device will be available starting June 29 with a base model price of $1,049.
Amalgamated from Ars Technica (opens in new tab), Slashdot (opens in new tab), Engadget (opens in new tab), The Verge (opens in new tab)
Pricing and hardware specifications
Following months of anticipation, Valve has announced that the Steam Machine, a computer designed for use in the living room, will go on sale starting June 29. The base model is priced at $1,049, with costs increasing depending on the specific hardware configurations selected by the user.
The entry-level configuration includes 512GB of storage but does not include a controller, according to reports from Engadget. While the initial price exceeds that of current major gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, The Verge reports that the Steam Machine's value proposition is centered on providing access to game libraries accumulated over many years across multiple platforms. Additionally, the device functions as a full Linux PC, allowing users to customize the operating system according to their preferences.
Purchase process
To manage demand during the launch period, Valve has established a reservation system for potential buyers. Ars Technica reports that the company will use a randomized purchase queue to allocate units. This method is intended by Valve to ensure the experience is "less frustrating and more fair" for customers seeking to purchase the hardware at its debut.